Selangor to retain waste collection service

THE Selangor Government will not allow the federal government to takeover the domestic waste management service when the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) is implemented next month.

State local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu said the Act which was aimed at privatising the domestic garbage collection services through concessionaire companies would not be implemented in Selangor.

“The state has officially written to the federal government of our decision of not being part of the move.

“Several other states including Penang and Perak will also not be signing the deal,’’ he said.

Liu said the state felt solid waste management services should be administered by the state through local authorities.

He said the idea of surrendering the domestic waste management service to the federal government made no sense as it would only further complicate the matter.

“We foresee that such a move will provide more space for red tape and deprive the ratepayers of efficient service. The move will not be cost-effective,’’ he said.

Asked whether the state planned to terminate the services of Alam Flora, Liu said the state had no such plan.

He said Alam Flora would be allowed to continue its garbage collection service.

Under the privatisation move, households would be required to pay service charges to the concessionaire companies which are responsible for garbage collection.

At present, the service is provided by Alam Flora contractors who were paid by the various local authorities.

The implementation of the Act will also include the setting up of two bodies, one to regulate and another responsible for operations.

The Department of National Solid Waste Management is the regulatory body while the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Corporation is responsible for the operations.